On 5 July 2025, we had the opportunity to share the progress of the PortWaste project with the listeners of Cadena SER. Premium Research is participating in the project as the entity responsible for developing machine learning algorithms aimed at analysing key performance indicators (KPIs) and predicting the efficiency of port waste management systems.

The project also involves the startup Blue Room Innovation and Aquaterra, and has received €235,000 in funding through the 2024 call for proposals of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism's programme for Innovative Business Clusters (AEIs). The main objectives of the project are as follows:

• To improve operational efficiency and sustainability in port waste management.

• To ensure full traceability using advanced technologies such as blockchain and IoT.

• To facilitate compliance with European regulations on the reception of waste generated by ships.

• To promote the circular economy within the port environment.

The project is currently in its final implementation phase at the Port of Mallorca. In the future, it is expected to be rolled out to other Spanish ports, with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of port activities nationwide and optimising the use of available resources.

Marta Sánchez Cano, telecommunications engineer and project manager at Premium Research, explained to listeners that the company works with synthetic data, which are processed using a proprietary model designed to improve transport efficiency. This analysis helps determine whether the transport system is being under- or over-utilised. The resulting information is fed into a simulator (webapp) that establishes an efficiency threshold, indicating whether the system is operating optimally.

This tool also enables full traceability of waste from its origin to the recycling facility and allows for the estimation of associated CO₂ emissions. In addition, various indicators can be calculated to assess the environmental footprint and sustainability level of the activity. “By working with datasets on waste density and volume, these efficiency thresholds can be applied to any maritime port, without geographical limitations,” Marta concluded.

🎧 Listen here to our colleague Marta Sánchez Cano’s interview on Surco y Marea, a Cadena SER Andalusia spanish radio programme dedicated to agriculture and fisheries. Marta’s segment begins at minute 9:20.